Self-employment

Self-employment too risky for most execs

Author and entrepreneur Michael Gerber perhaps put it best: "The entrepreneur is our visionary, the creator in each of us. We're born with that quality and it defines our lives as we respond to what we see, hear, feel, and experience. It is developed, nurtured and given space to flourish, or is squelched, thwarted, without air or stimulation, and dies," he said.

P.J. HARSTON
[ 2007-09-26 ]

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P.J. HARSTON

And according to a new study from Robert Half Management Resources, many of our executives either never had the entrepreneurial spirit, or it's been squelched in them.

"Some executives may see more opportunity -- and security -- in their corporate roles than in venturing out on their own," said Paul McDonald, executive director of Robert Half Management Resources, when announcing the study.

"The failure of a sizable number of startups earlier in the decade left many senior managers wary of the risks associated with self-employment."

Robert Half is a worldwide provider of senior-level accounting and finance professionals on a project and interim basis.


The study, which was conducted by interviewing 100 senior Canadian executives in fields such as human resources, finance and marketing, found that most executives would decline the opportunity to be their own boss, even if they had the money to go out on their own.

It found that 59% of survey respondents said they feel the average executive would not choose to be self-employed if he or she had the necessary startup capital, whereas 33% disagreed and 8% either didn't know or didn't respond to the survey.

McDonald pointed out that for professionals with independent spirit, "hanging out a shingle" has its benefits.

"The challenge and flexibility of entrepreneurship can outweigh the uncertainty, but it takes discipline and a commitment to being both a visionary and a pragmatist," he said.

McDonald also noted that consulting can be a good alternative for those who seek the advantages of self-employment, without the administrative burden of owning a small business.

As far as consulting goes, Bill Gates weighed in heavily on that topic in his 1995 book The Road Ahead: "As technology makes it easier for a business to find and collaborate with outside expertise, a huge and competitive market for consultants will arise."

McDonald would likely agree.



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